The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund is getting closer to its target of $1 million. By Tuesday afternoon, the total was at $845,000.
Your donations will be put to work in the community as soon as possible, meeting the goal of helping people who have faced tough times this year.
In the past couple of days we have seen increased donations from north of the Malahat, which might have been prompted by the list of organizations we are helping that we published in the Sunday ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½.
With the high level of donations this year, we have extended the fund’s reach across Vancouver Island more than ever before. We are doing our best to provide help in as many communities as we can.
The list includes the Mustard Seed Street Church, the Salvation Army in Victoria, the Goldstream Food Bank, the Sooke Food Bank, the Saanich Peninsula Food Bank, the Victoria Women’s Transition House, and the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees.
Recipients north of the Malahat include Nourish Cowichan in Duncan, the Cobble Hill-Mill Bay-Shawnigan Lake Food Bank, the Lake Cowichan Food Bank, the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank in Nanaimo, the Salvation Army locations in Port Alberni, Parksville and Campbell River, the Comox Valley Food Bank, and the Campbell River Food Bank. And we can’t forget Food Bank on the Edge in Ucluelet.
There are also the Salt Spring Island Food Bank, the Mayne Island Food Bank, People for a Healthy Community on Gabriola Island, the Denman Island Food Bank, and the Hornby Island Food Bank.
Every corner of the Island has been affected by the pandemic, which has added to the number of people who need a helping hand. That need will continue well past Christmas, so our fund will be used to help people into 2021.
Andrew Beckerman, who has made several match challenges this year, has another one: If two people from north of the Malahat donate at least $500, he will donate $500 as well. If two more people donate that amount, Beckerman says he will make a second $500 donation. In other words, if four people from north of the Malahat give at least $500 each, Beckerman will contribute $1,000.
Empty cans and bottles can help boost the fund as well; look for the charity bins, or ask at container-return depots to have the money given to the Christmas Fund.
We have $155,000 to go to reach our goal. It won’t be easy, but think of how tough this Christmas will be for some of your neighbours.
We will make that goal. We have to.
HOW TO DONATE
Donate online at  Â. That will take you to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
Or mail a cheque, payable to the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ ÂChristmas Fund Society, to the Times ÂColonist Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria V9A 6X5.
Or use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, messages will be accepted.
Donate refundable cans and bottles at Bottle Depot and GFL Environmental.
